HEADLINERS

HEADLINERS; Within Regulations

Published: September 2, 1990

Of the hundreds of Panamanians who were killed in the United States invasion, the Army contended that one was murdered and that Sgt. Roberto Bryan committed the crime. During Sergeant Bryan's trial last week in Fort Bragg, N.C., his lawyer maintained that the soldier had simply been doing his job when he shot a wounded Panamanian who had been part of a group from which a grenade was tossed, injuring 10 American soldiers. The military jury apparently agreed, finding him not guilty of ''unpremeditated murder.'' The charge had been based primarily on the testimony of Lieut. Brandon Thomas, who said that Sergeant Bryan killed the Panamanian to avenge the injured Americans. But others testified that the lieutenant bore a grudge against the sergeant and had not even seen the shooting. Suporters of Sergeant Bryan, whose 19-year service record is unblemished, said he was a scapegoat for other improper actions by American soldiers in Panama.